Hometown Fair To Offer Wide Variety Of Free Entertainment
The opportunity to get in some new acts will see the 2024 edition of the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair offer a wide variety and combination of new and popular free entertainment on the grounds.
Running from Friday June 21st - Sunday June 23rd the free entertainment will see high flying motorcycles, dinosaurs, ponies, balloon animals and even fairies take to the grounds.
“We decided we would try something different this year and we had the opportunity to attract these folks,” George Fowler general manager at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company told MJ Independent when it comes to the headline act an exhilarating motorcycle motocross and bicycle motocross show.
“They are one of the acts that will be performing this year.”
The change might seem wholesale but the main reason was “we had the opportunity to get some of these acts we haven’t had in the past and we do make a real effort to make our Fair family friendly.”
Family friendly does not only means safe and courteous but also appealing to all ages. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed at the Fair.
“Most of the acts we are looking at we ask are they family friendly. Can we include them in the price of what they pay to get in the gate so we don’t have to have extra charges for different things. We are always looking for (the best) entertainment fits our budget and also provides great family entertainment,” he said.
This year’s free entertainment fits that bill.
Motocross Daredevils and BMX Team
New to the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair this year is the Global FMX Motocross Daredevils and the Full Sand Stunt Team. The BC based group has never performed at the Hometown Fair in the past so their show should attract many curious fans.
“They are going to do a great ground act and aerial act that should be exciting,” Fowler said.
“It’s designed to attract everybody. It will be exciting it will be a great attraction.”
Combining the show with both motorcycles and bicycles makes the show interesting for all ages.
A jump at another fair - photo credit Global FMX Facebook page
“When they combine the show with bicycles even if you don’t like motorcycles there will be bikes intermittently during the show.”
There will be three 45 minute to a hour long shows daily.
Following the shows there will be a meet and greet afterwards. T-shirts will be on sale as well as the opportunity for photos will be available.
“They are our number one act and we think it will be able to entertain a wide range of ages (of spectators).”
The FMX team is motorcycles while the BMX team is bicycles.
Times of the three daily shows is yet to be determined but each show will be a little bit different to allow people to have a new experience.
“They do put on different shows. If you watch the one earlier the next one will not be quite the same. They try to put on something different,” he said.
The final schedule for the shows will be released prior to the Fair.
It needs to be noted if wind or other weather conditions do not make the aerial act safe it cannot happen. The program then will consist of a ground show only in the event that occurs.
Petting Zoo
Last year’s new and widely praised Meadowcroft Petting Zoo will be back again this year.
The attraction was highly popular at the 2023 edition of the Hometown Fair as the wide assortment of animals melted the hearts of fair goers both young and old.
“They were very popular last year.”
The petting zoo contains a wide range of animals that people can interact with.
The friendliness of the staff at the attraction was something much appreciated by spectators last year.
Once again the petting zoo will offer free pony rides that appeal to children.
Costing up to $10 at other events the pony rides are free as part of the gate admission with the Exhibition picking up the cost.
“The pony rides are included in the price of the gate admission.”
Appealing to children the pony rides allow most children to climb aboard and with or without assistance go for a ride.
Due to their popularity there may be a bit of a lineup for pony rides as well as the horses are rested periodically and given a break on a hot day.
Adventure Wranglers
Reptiles both living and thought to be extinct will all come alive as the Adventure Wranglers take over the Golden Nugget Building.
The Saskatchewan based Adventure Wranglers have been at the Hometown Fair before but this year they will be expanding their presence.
New to the fair circuit at their last appearance this year’s appearance promises to be a greater experience.
There will be two indoor reptile shows a day plus one dinosaur show daily.
A baby dinosaur makes its appearance at a previous Hometown Fair - MJ Independent file photo
In addition the popular attraction will be doing two daily walkabouts on the fair grounds with their baby dinosaurs.
Another new addition to their performance will be one show called ‘Prairie Fairies’.
There will also be two roaming acts with the Prairie Fairies.
There is a story behind this act but to not spoil the surprise it’s top secret and you’ll have to come and check it out yourself.
The only details released is they will be full sized fairies.
“There will be lots of activity going around the grounds.”
Sid The Clown
Moose Jaw’s own Sid the Clown will be doing his roaming act on the fair grounds.
A balloon animal extraordinaire Sid will be busy blowing up and tying off his various animal creations.
“He will be out wandering around and performing clown activities. He is going to be blowing balloon animals for the kids to enjoy.”
Sid the Clown at another event - Sid the Clown Facebook
“He is Sid the Clown. He is everywhere,” Fowler said about Sid’s notoriety as a well known and talented local performer. “He has been around town for quite awhile.”
Sid will be on the grounds from 5 pm - 9 pm on Friday June 21st, 2 pm - 8 pm on Saturday June 22nd and 2 pm - 7 pm on Sunday June 23rd.
“You may have to look around for him a little bit but I’m sure wherever the kids are congregating and if you’re wanting to get your balloons you’ll find him.”
Laser Indoor Tag and Games Trailer
If you want a break to sit down for a drink and a snack in air conditioned comfort the Exhibition Convention Centre will be offering laser tag indoors and a bank of interconnected computer games children can play together.
There will be no bouncy castles this year.
“We decided to give the bouncy castles a break and try laser tag this year. It’s just to try something different,” Fowler said.
The gaming trailer will be outside in the area where the concessions are.
The gaming trailer has big screens in it to allow multiple players in the same game.
Both are included in the cost of admission to the grounds.